ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the variation in terminology applied to their civic and religious functionaries by the different Dorian islands are no less marked and idiosyncratic than the divergences they display in dialect or in the usage of cult-titles. It discusses the English words priest and priestess is used only to translate hiereus and hiereia; similarly priesthood is a translation of hierosyne. Sexual restrictions might be imposed on priests, usually at least in the Hellenistic period for a short time only, before an important sacrifice or festival. The holding of much priesthood concurrently and for life became much more common in the Roman period. Hieropoioi are mentioned in many inscriptions from Kos and Rhodes, typically officiating at processions and sacrifices. Aristotles inclusion of treasurers as officials distinct from priests but involved in cult administration is readily justifiable. He concluded his list of officials involved in religious administration with those concerned with state sacrifices: archontes, basileis and prytaneis.
